v Brighton & Hove Albion

All sorts going on around ‘Blue chews-daze towers’ non-football related and, so, straight to it…

v Brighton & Hove Albion.

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from starting line-up in the last game: 9/11).

Fluid 4-5-1 / 4-3-3:

____________________Aguero____________________

Sterling_________________________________B. Silva

___________D. Silva___________De Bruyne_________

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Zinchenko________________________________Walker

_____________Laporte________Otamendi___________

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Bravo, Cancelo, Stones, Fernandinho, Foden, Gundogan, Mahrez.

Just one change form the last game, I am thinking for this one.

I WAS, initially, gonna put more than one extra rotation of players in for this game; in that Joao might have come in on the right of the defence in my predicted line-up, which isn’t unusual at this early stage of the season; as some players have early-season ‘niggles’ and fitness issues and, additionally, others need to be given ‘game time’ to progress their match-fitness levels / new players need to be introduced to ‘the system’.

However, having read the early team news from our manager’s pre-match press conference…

Ed has the gloves, of course.

The the same back-4 as the last outing, I would now suggest, as Kyle has been left out of the England squad for the up & coming internationals and, therefore, Cancelo might now be given some more ‘easing in time’.

Rodri to take back his place but ahead of him, I think Pep will stick with the same ‘attacking 5’ of Raheem, David, Kevin, Bernardo and Sergio.

Claudio the reserve stopper; Joao and the possibly-recovered John are the defensive replacement options from the side. Fernandinho, Phil & Ilkay are the midfield 3 choices from ‘the 7’, with Riyad the most attacking change-options from the bench.

Notable absences:

-       Benjamin Mendy – Continues his full training regime.

-       Angelino – Not selected.

-       Leroy Sane – Expected to be ready around February / March 2020 after surgery was completed in August 2019.

-       Gabriel Jesus – Injured until after the international break, after suffering a small injury during training before last weekend’s game.

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?

Does it for me!

Result? Can’t see anything other than a City win here.

Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result…

Prediction: Win

Result: Win

(Pre-match blog posting from that game)

Expected weather conditions during the game: After a showery morning to keep the pitch moist, it should brighten up considerably as the game progresses. 63F shouldn’t feel too bad either in the sunshine.